Potholes are being filled in...after a 40-year wait

THE 40-YEAR wait for a potholed street to be resurfaced is finally over.

Colchester’s Defoe Crescent is in such a bad state, that residents are embarrassed to say they live there.

Depite complaining about potholes the size of dustbin lids, Essex County Council has only carried out piecemeal, temporary repairs.

Finally, the road is being completely resurfaced and, to residents’ delight, the work began yesterday.

Arlene Miller, 79, who has lived in Defoe Crescent for 50 years, said: “It was resurfaced in the Seventies as far as I can remember, but they haven’t done anything since. They have just patched it up here and there.

“They patched up one hole and even left the one next to it.”

Neighbour KellyMead, 26, who lives with her mum, collects high heeled shoes but, unsurprisingly, is reluctant to wear them in her street.

She said: “It is so embarrassing.

Whenever people ask me where I live, it is the first thing they say about it is it’s famous for its potholes.

“I still get Facebook messages from people I haven’t seen for years who say: ‘Do you still live in that road?

“People always moan about it.

It has caused problems for my sister’s car too, with her suspension.”

Nicky Wiper, 57, said the road, a bus route, was also used by drivers wanting to get to and from the nearby busy Northern Approach Road.

She said: “One of the front springs on my car was broken or leaking and another one had to be replaced because I had no suspension.

“I think that is from going up and down the road every day.

“You see residents having to drive from side to side to avoid the potholes.”

Anne Turrell, county and borough councillor for Mile End, said she has reported problems to Essex County Council many times.

She said: “We are very pleased Defoe Crescent is being made into a fit state at last.

“This has been going on for years.”

Martin Goss, borough councillor, said: “It is indeed good after more than 40 years the road is finally receiving a full repair.

The work is due to be completed by September 2.

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “Defoe Crescent has been patched a number of times since it was originally built.

“It has nowbecome uneconomical to continue patching the road and so a more robust programme of work is being carried out.”

Comments (3)

1. Why not wait another 40 years to find out if the facts reported are true ?

2. Buy an SUV 2WD that can handle the Job I recommend the DACIA DUSTER DIESEL 1.5
62MPG.

3. Potholes try Beirut ?

1. Why not wait another 40 years to find out if the facts reported are true ?
2. Buy an SUV 2WD that can handle the Job I recommend the DACIA DUSTER DIESEL 1.5
62MPG.
3. Potholes try Beirut ?TorreyCanyon